The Big Show (1923 film)

The Big Show is the ninth Our Gang short subject comedy released. The Our Gang series (later known as "The Little Rascals") was created by Hal Roach in 1922, and continued production until 1944.

The Big Show
Directed byRobert F. McGowan
Produced byHal Roach
Written byHal Roach
H. M. Walker
StarringJoe Cobb
Jackie Condon
Mickey Daniels
Jack Davis
Allen Hoskins
Mary Kornman
Ernie Morrison
Andy Samuel
Dick Gilbert
Billy Lord
Lincoln Stedman
CinematographyLen Powers
Distributed byPathé
Release date
  • February 25, 1923 (1923-02-25)
Running time
20 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageSilent (English intertitles)

Plot

After being chased away from the county fair, the gang decides to open their own junior version of the fair, complete with wild animal displays, rides, and animal stunts. To top it off, they give a live performance set inside a giant movie frame, and impersonate several popular film stars of the day.

Notes

When the television rights for the original silent Pathé Our Gang comedies were sold to National Telepix and other distributors, several episodes were retitled. This film was released into TV syndication as Mischief Makers in 1960 under the title "County Fair". About two-thirds of the original film was included.

The second half of the film features a sequence with a handful of the "Our Gang" kids impersonating various popular movie stars of the day. Hal Roach had the idea for this scene after auditioning newcomer Andy Samuel. Andy decided to show Roach his impersonation of Charlie Chaplin; he also does his Chaplin impersonation in this film. In addition, Mickey Daniels imitates Douglas Fairbanks, Jack Davis imitates William S. Hart, Mary Kornman impersonates Mary Pickford, an unidentified kid impersonates Harold Lloyd, and Ernest Morrison imitates Uncle Tom (from the play Uncle Tom's Cabin).

Cast

The Gang

Additional cast
  • Elmo Billings as Kid at fair
  • Roy Brooks as De Rues
  • Dick Gilbert as Security guard
  • Dinah the Mule as Herself


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